Avery, David

David Avery (1746-1818) was a missionary, chaplain during the American Revolution, and a congregationalist minister. Born near Norwich, Connecticut, he entered Yale in 1765 to prepare for life as an Indian missionary. His education was interrupted in 1768 when he was sent to work as a teacher with the Oneidas in New York. When his health failed he returned to Yale and completed his degree in 1769. Ordained as a missionary in 1771 Avery returned to the Oneidas but soon was experiencing health problems once again. He settled in Gageborough (now Windsor), Massachusetts in 1772 and became the pastor of the Gageborough church in early 1773. Throughout his life he served as pastor to various congregational churches but encountered personal difficulties with more than one congregation..

From 1772-1775, Avery's political sermons reflect popular resentment against British rule, strengthened by the outbreak of hostilities against Great Britain. He was involved in organizing groups of Minutemen and in 1777 severed his relationship with the Gageborough congregation and for five years, (1775-1780), served as a chaplain of the Continental Army. During this period he participated in the siege of Boston, the rescue of the troops in the Quebec campaign, the crossing of the Delaware, the battles of Trenton and Princeton, and the long siege of the Hudson at West point.

In 1782 he married Mary Paine Ross Chaplain and they had five children. Avery died on February 16, 1818.